Official Bombing Order, July 25, 1945

Source: U.S. National Archives, Record Group 77,
Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers, Manhattan Engineer
District, TS Manhattan Project File '42 to '46, Folder 5B
“(Directives, Memos, Etc. to and from C/S, S/W, etc.).”

The written order for the use of the atomic bomb against Japanese
cities was drafted by General Groves. President Truman and Secretary
of War Stimson approved the order at Potsdam.

The order made no mention of targeting military objectives or
sparing civilians. The cities themselves were the targets. The order
was also open-ended. “Additional bombs” could be dropped
“as soon as made ready by the project staff.”

An image of the signed original of this document is included below the transcription.

TO: General Carl Spaatz
Commanding General
United States Army Strategic Air Forces

1. The 509 Composite Group, 20th Air Force will
deliver its first special bomb as soon as weather will
permit visual bombing after about 3 August 1945 on one of the
targets: Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata and Nagasaki. To
carry military and civilian scientific personnel from the
War Department to observe and record the effects of the
explosion of the bomb, additional aircraft will accompany
the airplane carrying the bomb. The observing planes will
stay several miles distant from the point of impact of the
bomb.

2. Additional bombs will be delivered on the above
targets as soon as made ready by the project staff. Further
instructions will be issued concerning targets other than
those listed above.

3. Discussion of any and all information concerning
the use of the weapon against Japan is reserved to the
Secretary of War and the President of the United States.
No communiques on the subject or releases of information
will be issued by Commanders in the field without specific
prior authority. Any news stories will be sent to the War
Department for specific clearance.

4. The foregoing directive is issued to you by direction
and with the approval of the Secretary of War and of
the Chief of Staff, USA. It is desired that you personally
deliver one copy of this directive to General MacArthur and
one copy to Admiral Nimitz for their information.

(Sgd) THOS. T. HANDY

THOS. T. HANDY
General, G.S.C.
Acting Chief of Staff

copy for General Groves

TOP SECRET

The text above was transcribed from the copy given to General Groves. The
image below is of the signed original.

Source: Record Group 342: Records of U.S. Air Force Commands,
Activities, and Organizations, 1900-2003. Series: Black and White
Photographs of U.S. Air Force and Predecessor’s Activities, Facilities,
and Personnel, Domestic and Foreign, 1930 - 1975. Scan by US National Archives, ARC Identifier 542193.